Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Ltrospectivo is one of those rare CDs that you cherish for its originality. Recently, Keita Mayanda has taken to posting a daily “Musica do Dia” on his Facebook page, and more times than not the songs he recommends are absolute gems. A couple of weeks ago he suggested a song by Leonardo Wawuti aka Grande L called Logo, that I’ll share with you on a Late Nite Lounge of a later date. Not to worry, because the CD is littered with deep, introspective lyrics, a refreshing sound, and the slick production work.

I don’t even know how to characterize Leonardo Wawuti. I don’t know if I want to. I first heard of him as a hip-hop artist, but in this album he croons neo-soul like he was born to do it. I guess he walks the exciting line between neo-soul, hip-hop and afro-beat, if such a line exists. He is friends with blog favorites Keita Mayanda, Ikonoklasta, MCK, and Buraka’s producer Conductor, and frequently collaborates and records music with this cast of character. Perhaps their most memorable project is the satirical band Conjunto Ngonguenha (coming soon to the Lounge!).

I’ve been listening to Ltrospectivo all day and I want to share with you three particular songs that have struck a chord with me today. Pra Quem Eu Amo (featuring Eliei and Zhy) is part hip-hop part and part neo-soul/R&B, whatever you want to call it…it’s one of those songs that you rather not characterize but instead feel its vibe and appreciate its heartfelt lyrics, its declaration of intense love. Nova Moda, Boa Onda reminds me a lot of Jurassic 5’s End Up Like this and features Wawuti’s crew: producer NK, Keita Mayanda, and Ikonoklasta. It’s easy on the mind and soul, rhythmic and positive. The track I’ve been jamming to today however is the album closer Wakuti é Liberdade, the Fela Kuti-inspired afro-beat boom-bap rap featuring 7Xagas and inventive lyricism. The beat is just too good, and I think they know it too.

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About Caipirinha Lounge

“Without music, life would be an error.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Caipirinha Lounge is all about music in Portuguese or by Lusophone artists. It's born out of a sincere belief that Lusophone music should reach a much larger audience. The lounge features music from Brazil, Angola, Portugal, Guine-Bissau, Cabo Verde, São Tomé & Principe, Mozambique, Galicia, and even Timor-Leste. Occasionally, there will be posts about singers so good that the fact that they do not sing in Portuguese is momentarily overlooked.

The purpose of this bilingual blog is purely educational. Plug in your earphones and hear rhythms from places you have never heard of, from artists you have never heard about, sung in the world's most beautiful language. If you like a song, you can download it by right clicking on it and then clicking "save target as". If you like it a lot, buy the cd, support the artist, keep good music alive.

If you are a singer or a label and want a particular song taken down, please contact me. Or, if you have music you think I will enjoy, do send! claudio.silva(at)caipirinhalounge.com